'Best for Food' judges welcomed to Lewiston

Residents and local volunteers welcomed Mike Shubic and Brian Cox to
Lewiston at The Silo Restaurant Wednesday night. Shubic and Cox, aka the "Road
Bros," are "Best for Food" judges for the Rand McNally/USA Today "Best of the
Road" competition. In an online voting poll, Lewiston ranked No. 1 among the
nation's small towns in the "Best for Food" category.

The reception was organized by
local volunteers headed by spokesperson Leandra Collesano. It brought together
residents and local business owners to support Lewiston - the smallest town in the "Best
for Food" competition.

"We're going to blow them away with what we have in Lewiston," Collesano
said.

Despite the village's small population, the judges made their way through a
multitude of supporters who greeted them with cheers, high-fives and homemade
welcome posters.

"Wow, this is overwhelming," said Shubic while the judges signed autographs
and took pictures with fans.

Several key persons addressed the "Road Bros" to begin their exploration
of Lewiston's eateries and establishments.

"When it comes to food, we already know we're the best, but our job is to
convince you of that, and to prove it over the next couple of days," said volunteer
Lee Simonson.

Excitement mounted when Mayor Terry Collesano handed Shubic and Cox a key
to the village as their "pass" to get into the restaurants (Town of Lewiston
Supervisor Steve Reiter made a similar gesture on Thursday). Singer Anne
DeFazio and pianist Donald Shrimpton added to the atmosphere, performing a song
as tribute to Lewiston and its excellence in food.

The evening culminated when the crowd gathered at the Freedom Crossing
Monument chanting, "We're No. 1!" as a celebratory shot was captured by
representatives from the Travel Channel, who will air a one-hour special on
July 25 at 8 p.m.

Though Lewiston may be the smallest town in its category, the residents and
volunteers ensured that the "Road Bros" would remember its hospitality as well
as the great food.

"What we lack in size, we make up for in heart," Simonson said.

The judges discovered all that Lewiston has to offer as they surveyed the
village's restaurants and establishments on Thursday.